A new study has indicated that the use of a once-a-day inhaler for chronic bronchitis or emphysema for more than one month increases the risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death by 58 percent.
An analysis of 17 clinical trials involving 4,783 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) revealed the adverse cardiovascular outcomes for those using inhaled anticholinergics as opposed to a placebo or some other kind of treatment.
Asthma - Factors, Common Allergens, Diagnosis, Treatment, Support Groups, FAQs
It's a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it
It's a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it
The risk of death was most salient in five clinical trials of more than six months duration, according to the study published in the September 24 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Anticholinergics belong to a class of drugs that dilate respiratory pathways to ease breathing and reduce bronchospasm, a sudden tightening of the bronchial tubes.
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, non-contagious, chronic skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is also called eczema, dermatitis or atopy.
Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, non-contagious, chronic skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is also called eczema, dermatitis or atopy.
"Patients with COPD who use these inhalers are at a high risk of excess serious cardiovascular events due to their use," said Singh, a co-author of the study with Yoon Lake of Britain's University of East Anglia.
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Allergy - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs - Videos
An allergy is a hypersensitive disorder of immune system. Substances that often cause allergic reactions are pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, food, insect stings and medicines.
An allergy is a hypersensitive disorder of immune system. Substances that often cause allergic reactions are pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, food, insect stings and medicines.
COPD is the fourth leading cause of chronic illness and death in the United States, and is projected to rank fifth among worldwide health problems in 2020, a Wake Forest University statement said.
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Asthma Management
Metered Dose Inhalers(MDI), which delivers medictions directly to the lungs, can be most effectively used in the treatment of asthma.
Metered Dose Inhalers(MDI), which delivers medictions directly to the lungs, can be most effectively used in the treatment of asthma.
Pfizer's Spiriva, taken in one daily dose, is the most commonly prescribed and widely-used long-acting treatment for COPD symptoms. More than eight million patients have used it since it was approved in 2002.
Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim fiercely contested the findings, arguing the research was flawed and furnishing data of their own showing Spiriva was safe.
In a statement the companies said Boehringer Ingelheim had conducted 30 rigorously controlled clinical trials demonstrating "there is no increased risk of death (all-cause) or death due to cardiovascular events in patients treated with Spiriva.
"Both companies considered it important to release these data to ensure doctors have the most comprehensive, up-to-date safety information on tiotropium in order to make the best treatment decisions for their patients," the statement said.
Source-AFP
RAS/SK
